Display device



July 3, 1951 R. B. BISHOP ETAL DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Sept. 8, 1948 2 Sheets-Sh eet 1 Y x A T L P D 5 2! D 0 4 n 0 0/0 H 4 FVM I. P A r Y x A L W D w m u f Fl' 3 J INVENTORQ Robert B .Bishop I Glenn A- Bisho BY M 1 7 a, 4%;

ATTORNEYS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. B. BISHOP ETAL DISPLAY DEVICE July 3, 1951 Filed Sept. 8, 1948 INVENTOR Robert B Bishop ATToRwEY s GlennA- Bish BY arm/w r- 726 Patented July 3, 1951 DISPLAY DEVICE Robert B. Bishop, Arlington Heights, and Glenn A. Bishop, Wilmette, Ill., assignors to Bishop Publishing Company, Cook County, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application September 8, 1948, Serial N0.48,223

13 Claims.

This invention relates to display devices of the type in which signs, posters, and similar panels are mounted in frames and the frames are hung, supported by stands, or otherwise displayed. It is one of the principal objects of the invention to provide a generally improved, simplified, and more useful display device of the character mentioned having parts of substantially uniform section susceptible of economical mass production.

Another object is to provide, in combination, a frame construction adapted for facile removal and interchange of panels and an upright stand for supporting the panel frame at different heights. As a particular phase of this aspect of the invention there is provided an interfitting sliding connection between panel frame and upright preventing lateral separation of the parts. There is also provided, in combination with the interfitting sliding connection between the frame and the upright, movable detent means for interlocking the parts in different positions of adjustment.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved panel frame construction which incorporates groove means and panel spacer means for individually receiving the edges of display panels and supporting the panels in spaced apart back to back relation. More specifically the invention provides panel frame memberswhich have a plurality of spaced parallel grooves and have panel separating ribs between the grooves. Removable retaining strips for holding panels assembled in the frames are a still further re finement.

A further feature is a panel frame member of substantially uniform section along its length having an upstanding panel separating rib in combination with panel retaining strips removably received in grooves formed in the frame member adjacent the rib, clamping means, mounted on the frame member, engaging the retaining strips to hold the latter in the grooves.

As a further object, the invention contemplates the provision of panel retaining frame members incorporating panel spacing ribs which serve as stops for engagement with the sides of panels adjacent the edges of the latter to, locate the panels in predetermined relation to the grooves.

when initially placing the panels in the frame. A still further object of the invention is to provide, in combination with a display panel and a supporting upright, an improved base, the upright being recessed into a lateral side face of the base and the base and upright having mutually interfitting locating formations.

Other objects and advantages are apparent in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a display device incorporating a panel frame disposed with its long dimension vertical and adj ustably mounted on spaced parallel uprights, the bottom ends of the uprights being secured to individual base members;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevational detail of the base, taken substantially on the line indicated at 22 of Fig. 1 and enlarged with respect to that figure;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional detail, with parts broken away and removed, taken substantially along the line indicated at 3-3 of Fig. 2 and enlarged with respect to that figure;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational detail showing the construction of the display assembly of Fig. 1 in the region of one of the lower corners of the panel frame, this view being on an enlarged scale with respect to Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the panel frame of Fig. 1 rotated approximately and supported on the uprights with its long dimension disposed horizontally;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view, foreshortened and with parts broken away and removed, showing one end of the display panel frame and supporting upright of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view, foreshortened and with parts broken away and removed, of the parts shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the line indicated at 88 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the line indicated at 9-9 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is an elevational detail with parts broken away and removed showing the lower end of one of the side members of Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is an end view of the frame member of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an elevational partly diagrammatic detail with parts broken away and removed showing one end of the bottom frame member of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 13 is an end view of the frame member of Fig. 12.

The display device of the present invention comprises a display panel A supported by a pair of spaced generally parallel uprights B. The lower ends of the uprights are secured to separate bases 0. The display panel A has a frame of rectangular form composed of members which, for pur-.

poses of identification, are referred to as top and bottom members and side members 2. The top and bottom members are of the same form and construction and the side members 2 are also alike. Thus the display panel may be turned over, reversed, or rotated to different positions as desired.

The uprights or support members B are of uniform and generally rectangular section along their lengths and are formed with longitudinally extending T-slots 3 which have relatively narrow openings 4 through the wider side faces of the uprights. The frame members I and 2 are all formed with integral T-sectioned ribs 5 which are receivable in the upright T-slots 3 for sliding engagement therein (Fig. 8). The .T-slots 3 open through the top ends of the uprights B, permitting the T-section'ribs or flanges 5 of the frame I members to be withdrawn or slid out longitudi nally for turning, inverting, or reversing of the display. For example, Fig. 1 shows the display arranged with the long dimension of the frame disposed vertically, the T-section flanges 5 of the frame members 2 being received and supported in the T-slots 3 of the uprights B. As an optional alternate arrangement, the display may be arranged as shown in Fig. 5 in which the long dimension of the panel frame is disposed horizontally and the T-fianges 5 of the frame members I are received and supported in the T-slots 3 of the uprights.

The lower ends of the uprights B may be conventionally secured to the bases C although the improved construction illustrated is preferred. The base G, forged or cast of a suitable metal such as aluminum, is formed with a recess 8 in one side face I. The recess has substantially the same width as the upright B so that one side of the lower end of the upright may be set into the base as shown in Fig. 3. An integral rib 3 is formed on the bottom of the base recess to extend through slot 4 into the T-section groove 3 of the upright. .Thus a strong, rigid connection is provided. 'The'rib 8 prevents twisting of the upright relative to the base and reinforces the upright against deformation. Fasteners comprising internally threaded sleeves 9 which receive externally threaded rods or bolts If], each having a head ll, extend through aligned openings in the bases and uprights to hold the parts in assembled relation and to retain the uprights in the base. recesses 6. a

The bases are elongated and relatively narrow, being several times greater in depth or height than in thickness, and are disposed in spaced generally parallel relation to one another at the lower ends of the spaced uprights B. Depending feet on the ends of the bases 0 make contact with the supporting surface on which the display devices are arranged to hold the main or body portions of thebases elevated above the supporting surface, thereby providing clearances I 6 for irregularities and minor obstructions on the surface. .7

. By reason of the sliding engagement of the T- section flanges or ribs 5 of the frame members in the slots 3 of the uprights B, the display frames can be raised and lowered in the uprights to position the frame at any desired elevation. To retain and support the frame at the desired height retractable, detents engageable with the panel frame members are mounted in the uprights B.

V A suitableconstruction for the detents is illustrated in Figs. 6. through 8. The device comprises an externallythreaded tubular body l1, one end of which is threaded into an opening in the upright B. The otherend of the detent body is preferably formed with a hex-nut head H] by means of which the detent can be screwed into place or removed for repair or replacement. A pin I9 extends axially through the tubular body I? into the T-slot 3 of the upright. This pin is guided in a small diameter axial passage portion in the detent head [8. A'helical coil compression spring 20 is received about the pin 19 in a large diameter passage portion of the detent body and is compressed between the head portion N3 of the detent and a circular collar 2| formed on the pin [9. The collar 2| is smaller than the passage in the detent body, permitting the pin to be retracted into the body by a head 22 secured on the end of the pin externally of the detent body.

A series of vertically spaced holes or recesses 24 are formed in the outer faces of each of the T-section ribs 5 for selectively receiving the ends of the detent pins [9 to lock the panel frame against longitudinal movement relative to the uprights. In adjusting the height of the display panel the pins l9 are manually retracted to release the panel frame members for vertical sliding in the slots 3 of the uprights. The springs 20 act to move the pins into the desired detent holes 24 when the panel is positioned at the desired height and the detent heads 22 are released.

The frame members I are each formed with a pair of spaced generally parallel grooves 25 which open through the inner face of the frame member. These grooves are each of greater depth than width and are separated by a dividing rib 21 integral with the frame member. The grooves 25 receive edges 26 of the display'panels D mounted in back to back relation. The divid ing rib acts as a separator which spaces the display panels. Portions 28 of the frame member form the outer faces of the grooves 25. Desirably edge 29 of the dividing rib 21 projects beyond the edges of the outer walls 28 0f the grooves 25 and serves as a stop-to limit the movement of the edges 25 of the panels D when initially inserting the panels. The slots 25 are preferably tapered in depth, the taper being provided principally in the outer walls of the slots so that the panels D rest flatwise against the separating rib 21.

Frame members '2 have body portions of generally rectangular section. A centrally disposed narrow rib 30 of greater height than width extends longitudinally along one of the Wider faces of each such frame member and serves as a stop or abutment for the side faces of the edges of the panels D. Spaced outwardly from these central abutment ribs 30 are pairs of grooves 31 disposed one on each side of the abutment rib. These grooves are spaced laterally from the abutment rib providing recesses for receiving the edges of the panels, the recesses having shoulders 32against which the edges 26 of the panels D are abutted. -.The edges of retaining strips 33 are received in the grooves 3| and are clamped in place by locking screws 34 threaded through the sides of the frame members 2 into the grooves 3|. Knurled heads 35 are formedon the locking screws 34 so that the latter can be manually tightened or loosened as desired, in freeing the retaining strips 33 so that the latter can be removed when it is desired to change or replace the display panels 13.. The strips 33, formed of light metal such as aluminum, are disposed flatwise against the panels D to hold the latter of the frame members i are abutted against the inner faces of the frame members 2, the end portions of the abutment ribs 30 in the latter being first cut away or removed as shown 1n Fig. 12 providing locating edges 36 for the dividing ribs 29 of the frame members I. Flat headed screws 31, extending through and countersunk into suitable holes in the ends of the frame members 2, are threaded into the abutted ends of the frame members securing the parts together. The ends of the T-section ribs on the frame members 2 are removed or cut away as indicated at 38 to facilitate the placement of the screws 31.

If desired, the display panels may be removed from the uprights and suspended by cords or wires or hung on hooks. For such purpose, hangers 40 are attached to the frame members by screws 42 and are formed with eyes 4| to receive the hooks or wires. The hangers can be swung on the screws between extended positions, indicated by the broken lines of Fig. 6 and retracted positions, indicated by the solid lines of the same figure.

All of the panel frame members, base members and the uprights B may be optionally formed of any one or combination of a number of suitable materials such as wood, plastic, and metal, depending upon the size of the display panel and the conditions under which it is to be used. Satisfactory results have been obtained by forming the frame members and uprights of light metal such as aluminum. This material readily lends itself to forming into the desired long strips of uniform section employed herein, by conventional extrusion processes which are rapid and economical. Other methods of forming the uniform section members may also be used, however, such as rolling and shaping with rotary cutting tools.

The principles of the present invention may be utilized in various ways, numerous modifications and alterations being contemplated, substitution of parts and changes in construction being resorted to as desired, it being understood that the embodiment shown in the drawings and described above is given merely for purposes of explanation and illustration without intending to limit the scope of the claims to the specific details disclosed.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A device comprising an elongated member of substantially uniform section for use in a panel supporting frame of a display device, said member having a pair of spaced parallel grooves formed in one face thereof, a rib on said member located between and parallel to the grooves for separating the edges of display panels mounted in the frame and against the rib, strips removably received in the grooves for overlying the marginal edges of mounted panels and retaining the latter in the frame, and adjustable screw means carried by the member for clamping the retaining strips in the grooves.

2. A device comprising an elongated member of substantially uniform section for use in a panel supporting frame of a display device, said member having a pair of spaced parallel grooves formed in one face thereof, a rib on said member located between and parallel to the grooves for separating the edges of display panels mounted in the frame and against the rib, said rib being thinner than the space between the grooves providing abutment shoulders for the edges of mounted panels, strips removably received in the grooves for overlying the marginal edges of mounted panels and retaining the latter in the frame, and adjustable clamping means carried by the frame member and engageable with the strips within the grooves to hold the strips in place and to press the strips against mounted panels.

3. In a display device, a panel having a frame member with a T section rib, an upright member having an elongated vertical T sectioned slot for receiving the rib for appreciable relative sliding of the frame member vertically along the length of the upright member to provide for vertical adjustment of the panel on the upright, a base for supporting the upright, said base also having a rib receivable in the lower portion of the T slot of the upright, and means for retaining the panel in adjusted position.

4. In a display device, a panel having a frame member with a T section rib, an upright member having an elongated vertical T sectioned slot for receiving the rib for appreciable relative sliding of the frame member vertically along the length of the upright member to provide for vertical adjustment of the panel on the upright, a base for supporting the upright, said base having a recess in a lateral face for receiving the lower end of the upright in interfitting relation, a rib on the base receivable in the lower portion of the T slot of the upright, and means for preventing relative vertical movement of the upright and the base to retain the base and the upright in assembled relation.

5. In a display device, a panel having an elongated vertically disposed frame member with a T section rib extending substantially its entire length, an upright member generally paralleling the elongated frame member and having an elongated vertical T slot for receiving the rib to provide for vertical adjustment of the panel on the upright, a base for supporting the upright, said base also having a rib receivable in the lower portion of the slot, and means for retaining the panel in adjusted position comprising a retracttable detent carried by one member and a series of vertically spaced sockets in the other member for selectively receiving the detent.

6. In a display device comprising a panel and an upright for supporting the panel, a base for the upright, the lower end of the upright being received to a depth less than its corresponding dimension in a lateral recess in one side face of the base, the upright and the base having mutually interfitting formations, and removable fastening means extending through the upright and into the base for preventing vertical separation of the base and the upright.

'7. In a display device, a panel holding frame comprising in combination a first pair of spaced substantially parallel members having confronting faces each formed with a pair of spaced parallel grooves for receiving the edges of panels mounted in the frame, a second pair of spaced substantially parallel frame members extending between and connecting the first pair, and a'pair of spaced substantially parallel uprights each having interfitting sliding engagement optionally with any of the frame members for supporting the frame selectively in different attitudes and in different positions of vertical adjustment, and means interlocking the frame and the uprights for retaining the panel in adjusted position.

8. A display device comprising an upright member and a panel frame-supported on the upright, said frame having an elongated side memberinterfitting with the upright for relative sliding movement, the upright being formed with a longitudinally extending T slot opening through one face of the upright, the frame member being disposed against said face and having a rib extending into the slot, said rib having a series of vertically spaced sockets therein, and a movable detent carried by the upright and normally extending into the interior of the T slot for engagement in a selected one of the rib sockets to hold the frame member and the upright in relative adjusted positions.

9. A display device comprising an upright member and a panel frame supported on the upright, said frame having an elongated side member interfitting with the upright for relative sliding movement, the upright being formed with a longitudinally extending T slot opening through one face of the upright, the frame member being disposed against said face and having a T section rib extending into the slot and interlocking the members against lateral separation,

said rib having a series of vertically spaced sockets therein, and a movable detent carried by the upright and normally extending into the interior of the T slot for engagement in a selected one of the rib sockets to hold the frame member and the upright in relative adjusted positions.

10. In combination in a display device, a panel holding frame comprising a pair of elongated upright side members disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation, a pair of elongated top and bottom members disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation and extending between and connecting the side members, the members of one pair each being formed with spaced channels for receiving the edges of display panels, the members of the other pair each being formed with an upstanding rib providing panel receiving recesses on opposite sides of the rib and spaced thereby, the spacing of the channels and recesses being substantially the same, whereby rectangular panels are receivable in the frame in back to back spaced parallel relation, one pair of opposite edges of each received panel being receivable in confronting channels of the one pair of members and the other pair of opposite edges of such panel being receivable against corresponding sides of the upstanding ribs of the other members, for spacing of the panels by the ribs and retention of the panels by the channels. 11. In combination in a display device, a panel holding frame comprising a pair of elongated upright side members disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation, a pair of elongated top and bottom members disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation and extending between and connecting the side members, the members of one pair each being formed with spaced channels for receiving the edges of display panels, the members of the other pair each being formed with an upstanding rib providing panel receiving recesses and locating shoulders for engaging panel edges on opposite sides of the rib, the spaceach received panel being receivable in confronting channels of the one pair of members and the other pair of opposite edges of such panel being receivable between confronting locating shoulders and against corresponding sides of the upstanding ribs of the othermembers, for locate ing and spacing of the panels by the ribs and shoulders and retention of the panelsby the channels. v

12. In combination in a display device, a panel holding frame comprising a pair of elongated upright side members disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation, a pair of elongated top and bottom members disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation and extending between and connecting the side members, the members of one pair each being formed with spaced channels for receiving the edges of display panels, the members of the other pair each being formed with an upstanding rib and a pair of grooves one on each side of the rib and spaced from the rib to provide shoulders for engaging and locating panel edges, the distance between the channels being substantially equal to the thickness of the ribs whereby panels received in the frame in back to back relation are spaced by.

engagement of one pair of opposite margins thereof against the ribs of the frame members. and are held in the frame by retention of an-,. other pair of opposite margins thereof in the channels of the frame members, and strips removably received in the grooves and disposed in overlying relation to the one pair of margins of each of the panels to retain such marginsv against the ribs.

13. In combination in a display device, an upright standard, a panel holding frame comprising a pair of elongated upright side members the edges of display panels, the members of the other pair each being formed with an upstand-..

ing rib providing panel receiving recesses on opposite sides of the rib and spaced thereby, the spacing of the channels and recesses beingv substantially the same, whereby rectangular. panels are receivable in the frame in back to" back spaced parallel relation, one pair of opposite,

edges of each received panel being receivable confronting channels of the one pair of mem bers and the other pair of opposite edges of such panel being receivable against corresponding sides of the upstanding ribs of the other members, for spacing of the panels by the ribs and.

retention of the panels by the channels, and an interfitting T slot and T groove connection between one of the frame members and the standard to permit sliding of the frame vertically.

along the standard, the T connection extending substantially the entire length of the last men-,

tioned frame member.

ROBERT B. BISHOP. GLENN A. BISHOP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,312,925 Ruehlmann Aug. 12, 1919 1,483,067 Berry Feb. 12, 1924- 1,5s4,105 Lenz May 11, 1926 1,688,231 Fisher Oct. 16, 1928 1,719,755 Clavette July 2, 1929. 1,835,980 I-Iallowell Dec. 8, 1931-, 2,032,872 Friedrichs Mar. 3, 1936. 2,102,488 Sirera Dec. 14,1937

Certificate of Correction July 3, 1951 Patent No. 2,559,106

ROBERT E. BISHOP ET AL. It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed s the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 2, line 2, after the word and period invention. insert the foltence: T his description is made in commotion with the accompanying he specifioat'iom;

lowing sen drawings, forming a part of t t should be read as corrected above, so that he Patent Oflice.

and that the said Letters Paten the same may conform to the record of the case 1n t Signed and sealed this 25th day of September, A. D. 1951.

pecification of THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Oommissioner of Patents. 

